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  1. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    EDIT: I found out that it's a ref. nr. 2975-3, cal. 501. Does anyone have a bezel or a "donor watch" lying around, please send me a PM!
    Hi there,
    My dad past away this summer and left me with his vintage Omega Seamaster. He migrated from Denmark to Sweden in the 50s and when he got a job the watch was the first thing he bought for himself. He wore it every single day until his death, so I don't have the heart to get rid of it or leave it lying in some drawer just collecting dust. Most of all I wish I had though of fixing it for him when he was alive, but now I will do it in his honor instead. I really loved my dad and even though I'm a girl I want to be able to wear the watch and think about him and the time we had together.

    Trying to make the best ot it, I turn to you for advice. Does anyone know some more specifics about the watch? I've attached a photo hoping you can help me identify it/the case number. I don't know much about watches at all, but by viewing pictures of similar pieces my guess is that the bezel is missing (or not original?). Is their any provider of spare parts for vintage Omegas? There's some scratches on it and there is also some dirt under the crystal, can this be fixed/restored? Will I get away cheaper if I order the spare part myself (if possible?) and then hand it over to a watchmaker? Thank you in advance!

    Best regards,
    J
     
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  2. ulackfocus Jul 23, 2013

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    Hi J. Welcome to Omega Forums. Your dad's watch was made from 1956 to 1961 going by the shape of the S in Seamaster. If I were to wager, I'd say it was '59 or '60 depending on what movement (watch engine) is inside. That's the correct crown (winder) for it, but the bezel (round metal part the encircles the crystal) is missing as you've surmised. Most of what you asked about can be cleaned except maybe any dial deterioration. I'd let a watchmaker get rid of the loose and easily removed impediments but leave the rest. We call that patina and some like it a lot. Since it's an heirloom it would be good to leave a little of it's character.

    Could you show us a picture of the back? I suspect it's a 14.70x series case. Thanks!
     
  3. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Thank you very much!

    I agree, I don't want to deprive it of it's charachter, just get it cleaned up and turned in for service. Maybe get an original brezel, if possible.

    I'm not at all interested in selling it, but I had it valued as a tequnicality due to the previous taxation rules here in Sweden. The guy at the auction firm valued it to a maximum of 80 dollars. I really don't care about the monetary value, I still want to put some means in to fixing it. I'm still curious though, was the price resonable?

    I'll attach a picture of the back.
     
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  4. ulackfocus Jul 23, 2013

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    Oooooo, a big logo case! Mike (MSNWatch) has owned one or two of them as have a few others here. IIRC, that's a reference 2648, 2846, 2848, or another combination of those numbers. Not at home to be certain though.

    I think it's worth at least 2 to 3 times the estimate you were given.

    EDIT: it depends on the availability of a bezel - if findable, that really increases the value to around $350 to $400 even in it's otherwise current state.
     
  5. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Also, I have another question. I know it says waterproof, but do I dare to clean it with some soap and water?
     
  6. ulackfocus Jul 23, 2013

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    No, don't submerge it - there's little doubt that the seals are no longer working.
     
  7. SpikiSpikester @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 23, 2013

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    In case it wasn't clear from Dennis' message KEEP IT AWAY FROM WATER !!!

    :)
     
  8. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Thank you! I guess I took the right decision only cleaning of the bracelet then.

    Where should I look for a bezel? And how? Sorry for all my stupied questions, I've become a bit obsessed with fixing the watch.

    I'm also thinking och changing the bracelet to something in leather, making it a bit more feminine. Would that be a pitty? I would still keep the original bracelet of course.
     
  9. ulackfocus Jul 23, 2013

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    Definitely keep the original bracelet. That's what we call a Beads of Rice bracelet and they're very popular. However, I had a gold version just like it on a strap and it looked fantastic.

    You might have to find a bezel on a donor watch like a beat up model found on eBay cheap. You really only want one piece, and it may take some time. Worth it though. You'll need the exact case reference number from the inside of the caseback.
     
  10. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Haha, will do sir! I promise.
     
  11. ulackfocus Jul 23, 2013

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    Duh - picture of my former Seamaster 14.70x:

    [​IMG]

    [​IMG]
     
  12. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Can you tell me more specifically what I should be looking for on eBay if I get the case number? I really appreciate all your help!
     
  13. foreignaffairs Jul 23, 2013

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    Oh, that looks really, really good! Maybe i'll get hooked on Omega watches in general after this.
     
  14. gatorcpa ΩF InvestiGator Staff Member Jul 23, 2013

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    Your best bet would be to take the watch to a good watchmaker in your city. The watch is a fairly common model, and there's a decent chance that a replacement could be avaliable from Omega.

    I wouldn't trust parts purchased on eBay. There's just too much margin for error in identifying these parts. A lot of them look the same, but a difference of a tenth of a millimeter or less is enough to keep a bezel from fitting properly.

    Good luck with the restoration.
    gatorcpa
     
  15. wwhntr Jul 23, 2013

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    I'm 99.9% sure that's a reference 2975, housing a caliber 501 20 jewel movement. Introduced around 1958, in all stainless, gold capped with gold medallion back, and solid gold. I believe the large medallion backs were only made for a short time, maybe 1-2 years. I have seen 2975's with the smaller logo back, which may have been made later. I have several examples of this reference. Dial markers and setup are same on all of mine. The all stainless show up on eBay now and then, while the gold capped models with the gold medallion back seem quite uncommon. You'll most likely have to find a complete or near complete donor watch to get a bezel. (I've attempted to include a link for this reference from the Omega vintage database.)
    http://www.omegawatches.com/spirit/history/vintage-omegas/vintage-watches-database?ref=14727
     
  16. dsio Ash @ ΩF Staff Member Jul 24, 2013

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    What's your general location? Might be someone knows a good vintage specialist watchmaker near you. The size of these watches and the BOR bracelet make these perfect for ladies to wear, it'll look great on you, but it does need to be serviced beforehand (and to repeat the several prior posts never get it near water ;) )
     
  17. JimInOz Melbourne Australia Jul 24, 2013

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    OK, I've checked everyone's posts, they're all fine and I have nothing more to add.............except, keep it on the BOR bracelet.

    Aside from the fact that it's a nice bit of "joolery" ;) , it was on your Dad's wrist for most of his adult life so whenever you run your fingers across that bumpy surface you can get a warm feeling of your Dad (Gosh, emotional stuff isn't it :) ).

    Look after it and you can pass it on with two lots of ancestral memories.
     
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  18. foreignaffairs Jul 24, 2013

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    All good advices. I went down to my nearest watchmaker to get the reference. He said it would take at least a week to get it. How is that possible? My problem is that I live in Gothenburg but I'm moving to Stockholm in less than a week. Someone recommended "Farfars klocka" in Stockholm, which is specialized in Omegas. Does anyone else have an idea of where to go?

    Cheers!
     
  19. foreignaffairs Jul 24, 2013

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    wwhntr made a very qualified guess. It is a 2975-3, 501 :)
     
  20. Archer Omega Qualified Watchmaker Jul 24, 2013

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    I checked on the Omega Extranet for you, and unfortunately a new bezel from Omega is not available for that case reference. It would require a donor watch to get a new bezel. However a new crown, case tube, case back seal, and crystal are available for this model.

    Cheers, Al